Toastmasters: Because Public Speaking Skills Aren't Debatable

RIVERWOODS, IL. – If you are like most people, public speaking is not your favorite pastime. Yet survey after survey shows that presentation skills are crucial to success in the work place. The person with strong communication skills has a clear advantage over tongue-tied colleagues – especially in a competitive job market. Instead of paying thousands of dollars to gain the skill and confidence necessary to face an audience or interviewer, another less expensive option that is held in high regard in business circles is Toastmasters International.

PROVEN VALUE

Toastmasters has been around for more than 80 years and has helped more than 4 million people with a proven – and enjoyable – way to practice and hone their communication and leadership skills. The nonprofit organization now has approximately 235,000 members in 11,700 clubs in 92 countries. Toastmasters clubs can be found in the U.S. Senate and House, Abu Dhabi Oil Refinery Company, Amazon, BMW, Coca-Cola Co., Cisco Systems, CareerBuilder, Deutsche Bank, eBay, Inc. and ExxonMobil, among many, many others.

CONVENIENT, COMFORTABLE ATMOSPHERE

A Toastmasters club is a conveniently located “learn-by-doing” workshop in which members hone their skills in a comfortable, friendly setting. The Speakers of the House Club, #7906, meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., in the Wolters Kluwer campus, at 2700 Lake Cook Road, in Riverwoods, just east of Milwaukee Avenue.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Members of the Speakers of the House Club learn communication skills and practice presentation techniques with a series of 10 assignments designed to instill a basic foundation in public speaking. There is no instructor, although officers lead the clubs. Instead, members evaluate one another's verbal presentations and leadership activities. Toastmasters may also give impromptu talks on assigned topics, conduct meetings, serve as officers in various leadership roles and learn parliamentary procedure. Membership is affordable with total annual fees of less than $100. The effectiveness is proven by the thousands of corporations that sponsor in-house Toastmasters clubs as cost-efficient public speaking and leadership training workshops for employees.

To experience the benefits of Toastmasters International, attend the Come as a Guest Day on Wednesday, Nov. 10 from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. RSVP required to Laurie Schwartz, CTM CL, President, "Speakers of the House", Club #7906, at (847) 267-2714 or laurie.schwartz@wolterskluwer.com.